(NewsNation) — As a government shutdown began Wednesday, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins told NewsNation the pause will negatively affect many U.S. veterans.

"Many of them work in the federal government. Many of them have services provided to them after they've gotten out through the federal government," Collins said on "Morning in America." "And this shutdown simply is going to be a hindrance into getting that help here at the VA."

He clarified that VA centers and hospitals would remain open, but said some career, transition and communication services wouldn't be available during the shutdown.

"It cuts out our ability to communicate, mass communication, through our public affairs and through our communication devices. You know, those are the kind of things that are helping the

See Full Page